“We just could never get it going,” he said.
Rogers had run over opponents, using a mix of speed and ball control in its Slot-T to reel off eight straight wins. But even with another solid defensive effort, the Eagles never were able to overcome an offense stuck in neutral.
Held to its lowest offensive output of the season, Rogers was eliminated with a 9-0 loss to Hallettsville in a Class 2A Division II bi-district playoff Friday night at Hippo Stadium.
Rogers, the undefeated District 25-2A champion, finished 9-2. Hallettsville (6-4) earned its first postseason win since 2004 and advanced to face third-ranked Blanco in area-round play.
Things got off to a rocky start for the Eagles and simply never got better.
Rogers was shut out for the first time this season and held to a season-low 180 yards. The Eagles’ previous lows came in their only regular-season loss, a 35-10 setback against Coleman in Week 1.
Jordan Sebek led the Eagles in rushing in his final game, with 57 yards on 11 carries.
“I think if we play these guys 10 times, I think we beat them that other nine,” Walker said. “It just wasn’t our night. We just couldn’t get it going.”
Rogers went three-and-out and on its first drive and fumbled the punt attempt to set up Hallettsville’s only first-half score, a wind-aided 45-yard field goal by Shane Drozd.
The Eagles wound up punting after their three other first-half drives. At halftime, Rogers had three first downs and just 60 yards of total offense.
Aside from being unable to run the ball against a defense that packed all 11 players near the line, the Eagles dug themselves into the holes with penalties. Rogers had seven penalties for 65 yards, including several costly illegal procedure flags on first down.
“We shot ourselves in the foot a few times, too,” Walker said. “Going into this wind you can't start first-and-25.”
The Brahmas missed a scoring chance on their second drive when Drozd’s 44-yard field goal - again with a strong wind at his back - bounced off the crossbar. Hallettsville had another promising drive end when Aaron Martin snagged an interception.
Like Rogers, the Brahmas’ first half was far from perfect. Hallettsville had 90 yards total offense, all rushing. Seniors Bronc Rice, Aaron Martin, Tim Weir and Dustin Hamilton and sophomore J.C. Garcia played big roles in frustrating the Brahmas’ offense and keep it close.
“Defense played great,” Walker said. “They kept us in the game.”
Hallettsville scored on its second drive of the second half, taking advantage of good field position after Rogers’ fifth straight punt. Jordan Erskine raced 30 yards untouched up the middle for a 9-0 lead with six minutes left in the third.
Rogers’ best chance to get on the scoreboard came on the ensuing possession. Fullback E.J. Larkin led off with a 12-yard carry, just Rogers’ fourth play of 10 yards or longer. A combination of Larkin, Sebek and fullback Robert Campos along with a personal foul penalty helped Rogers drive.
But once inside the Brahmas’ 15-yard line, the drive stalled. After three runs picked up 1 yard, quarterback Chance Marek’s pass to the end zone fell incomplete, ending the drive.
“You have nights like this; you just hope it’s not in the first round of the playoffs,” Walker said. “The kids played hard; it wasn’t their fault. You just show up and play as hard as you can, like we’ve done all year. It never got clicking.”
The loss ended Walker’s first season, which surpassed expectations. The Eagles weren’t even projected to be a playoff team in a preseason coaches poll. But Rogers earned its 12th playoff berth in 15 years and won a district championship for the second time in three seasons.
“These guys came a long way this year,” Walker said. “I’m proud of their effort.”
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
